Auditions Announced for Gravestone Manor

Auditions for the 10th anniversary of the Gravestone Manor Theatrical Haunted House will be held the evening of Monday September 1st and Tuesday September 2nd, beginning at 7pm sharp. The director seeks male and female actors, ages 15 to adult, for an original gothic play in a scary setting.

Gravestone Manor is a unique attraction which relies on story-telling and theatrical effects more than chainsaws and hockey masks. Actors will be asked to read from the script and provide the dates they are available. All roles are open.

The performance dates are September 26, 27 and every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October.

Location is in the Trion Industries building, 1095 Highway 315 in Plains, next door to The Woodlands resort.

The production is built, written, and staffed by volunteers. All proceeds benefit charities in the Wyoming Valley. To date, Gravestone Manor has raised over $120,000.00 for United Way of Wyoming Valley.

For more information call 570-821-6500 or visit www.gravestonemanor.org

SWEENEY TODD Coming to the Music Box Dinner Playhouse

SWEENEY TODD, THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET, Stephen Sondheim’s musical masterpiece, will be presented by the Music Box Repertory Company, September 12 to 14,18 to 21, and 25 to 28, at the Music Box Dinner Playhouse, 196 Hughes Street, Swoyersville, PA 18704.

SWEENEY TODD, often referred to as a “Musical Thriller”, is a story of a barber in 1840’s London who seeks vengeance on an evil Judge who has raped his wife and has sent him to prison on trumped-up charges. Sweeney escapes, returns to London, and with the help of Mrs. Lovett, baker of the ”worst meat pies in London”, the Judge meets his doom. In the process, Todd and Lovett discover the secret ingredient that turns the worst pies to the tastiest pies in London.

SWEENEY TODD opened on Broadway in 1979 to critical acclaim, and won 8 of itsnominated 9 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Music and Lyrics, Best Book, Best Direction and Best Actor and Actress awards for Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury. A recent revival starring Patty Lupone won several Tony Awards and the film version starring Johnny Depp, and directed by Tim Burton, won the Golden Globe Award for best movie in the comedy/musical category.

At the Music Box, the starring role of Sweeney Todd will be played by Ron Araya, and the role of Mrs. Lovett will be played by Nancy Brown. Other principal roles will be played by Sal Infantino, Marcelle McQuirk, Amanda Reese, Kyle Segerra, Larry Vojtko, Kevin Malone, and Dane Bower.

Citizens of London will be played by Dana Feigenblatt, Cate McDonald, Jesse McNatt, Katherine Moran, Linda Orseck, Jennifer Rogers, Amanda Shaffern, Jessica Werbin, Mitchel Burke, Joel Campbell, Kevin Costley, Matt Dane, Justin Shaffern, Bill Ulichney, Jonathan Wallace, and Jimmy Williams.

SWEENEY TODD is directed and choreographed by Kevin Costley, with musical direction by Aimee Radics, sets and lighting by Michael Gallagher, and costumes by K. D. Love.

Tickets are now on sale for Dinner and Show and Show-only. Special discount rates are available for groups of 20 or more, senior citizens, students and children 12 and under. Show-only tickets are available to all students for $12.00.

Performance times are: Thursdays through Saturdays: Bar opens at 6 PM, a full buffet dinner catered by A TOUCH OF CLASS OF Wilkes-Barre is served at 6:30 PM, and Curtain is at 8 PM. On Sundays, the bar opens at 1 PM, the buffet is at 1:30 PM. And Curtain is at 3 PM.

For more information and reservations, call (570) 283-2195, or 1-800-698-PLAY.

Seeking Col. Mustard and Mr. Green

Phoenix Performing Arts Centre is looking for two males for the roles for Colonel Mustard and Mr. Green for CLUE. Performance dates are Sept. 26, 27, 28 and Oct. 3, 4 at the Phoenix Performing Arts Centre in Duryea. Interested parties may contact Lee Lachette at 570-991-1817 or email phoenixpac@yahoo.com.

Director Needed for BLITHE SPIRIT

The slated director is no longer available for BLITHE SPIRIT. Worthington Players is seeking an experienced director for BLITHE SPIRIT, Noel Coward’s comic farce.

Director will be paid a stipend. All other positions are all-volunteer.
Six performances October 31-November 9, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm.

In addition to direction, director will be responsible for scheduling rehearsals, and assisting in filling the tech and backstage positions.

Please contact Midge McClosky directly at MMcClosky@TheShawneePlayhouse.com or 570-421-5093.

Sherman Theater is NOT Involved with Current MLC Shows

In response to the numerous calls and inquires, the Sherman Theater would like to clarify that it is not involved in the production, promotion or operation of any of the concerts currently being put on at the Mountain Laurel Center, including the performance scheduled for September 6.

“Our staff has noticed that many people are under the impression that this event is benefiting the Bushkill Volunteer Fire Department and that it is being presented in collaboration with the Sherman Theater,” said Executive Director Richard W. Berkowitz, “Neither of which are true.” The concerts are being put on by the Catalano Construction Company.

The Sherman Theater is actively involved with promoting the COTA Festival on September 6 and encourages people to support the community event held in Delaware Water Gap.

Berkowitz and his staff have had long standing discussions with the development company who owns the center but have not reached any final agreement. “Although we welcome the opportunity to make the Mountain Laurel facility a positive part of the arts and tourism in the Pocono Mountains, we will not participate in its operation until we are comfortable that all the community’s needs can be addressed,” said Berkowitz.

Patrons and area residents are encouraged to contact the Sherman directly at 570.420.2808 if they have questions regarding the theater or if they would like information on how to become involved with the Sherman’s Capital Campaign. Information about the Sherman’s Capital Campaign and upcoming events are also available online at shermantheater.com

NEPTA to Stage an Evening of One-Acts

Area theatergoers can see a sampling of the best in community theater on Saturday, Sept. 6, as members of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Theatrical Alliance (NEPTA) present “One-Night of One-Act Wonders,” a program of short plays at the Phoenix Performing Arts Centre, 409-411 Main St., Duryea. The curtain rises at 7:30 p.m.

NEPTA consists of nine community theater companies whose mission is to promote and support theater in northeast Pennsylvania. All nine companies will perform on Sept. 6. The theatrical event is a fundraiser for NEPTA’s scholarships, awarded annually to two area high school seniors planning to major in some facet of the performing arts.

Here’s a rundown of one-acts planned for the evening:

The Bracken Theater Company will perform the comedy Medea, by Christopher Durang and Wendy Wasserstein. Take classic Greek tragedy as told by the “Weekly World News” and you have this hilarious take on an ancient myth. The cast includes Alicia Nordstrom, Donna Vojtek, Ilvin Nieves, Kati Sudnick, Jennifer Momenzadeh, Bill Amos, Tim McDermott, Kimmie Wrazien, Kerry Kearns, Eric Van Duzer, and Will Moore, among others. Direction is by Karen Padden. Bracken performs in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area.

Pennsylvania Theater of the Performing Arts’ one-act is the comedy Triangle, written by the pseudonymous Jane Martin. It concerns Joyce, an English literature major, and her attempt to nip her partner’s emotional affair in the bud by inviting the “other woman” to their apartment. The action takes a bizarre turn when the other woman turns out to the goddess Aphrodite. The play is directed by Lynn Zanolini and stars Elise Popalis, Dathan Inman, and Jillian Ritz. The company is from Hazelton.

The Lakeside Players of the Lake Wallenpaupack area will present the classic comedy If Men Played Cards As Women Do by George S. Kaufman. Starring Tony Schwartz, Jerry Marino, Marty Courtney, and Frank DeSando, the play spotlights four men playing poker, but instead of discussing sports and other manly topics, they talk about clothes, home furnishings, and the latest gossip – just as women do. In the author’s words, “… (the sketch) is played in forthright and manly fashion.”

Dreamchaser, a short thriller by David Schmidt, will be presented by the Endless Mountains Theater Company of Susquehanna County. An actress who has fallen on hard times plans to commit suicide in a haunted theater house. Only the intervention of a theater ghost prevents her from going through with it, but the ghost cannot stop her from committing murder. The players are Dianna Wayman, David Schmidt, and Bob DeLuca.

The Diva Theater Company is offering the comedy sketch Hank and Karen Sue, by Kathy Najimy and Mo Gaffney, from the play Parallel Lives. Directed by Paige Balitski, the play stars Tiffany Saar and Eric Lutz. It takes place in a Texas bar where Hank and Karen Sue meet every night to discuss their comedic yet very lonely lives and have the same conversation — until the next night. Diva performs in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area.

Easy to Love by Rob Howell is being produced by the Worthington Players of Shawnee-on-Delaware, Monroe County. How quick is too quick to love? This comedy is a lighthearted look at how fast someone can fall head over heels. The play is directed by Midge McClosky and stars Amy Cramer, Dan Eash, and Maria Sole.

The Pennsylvania Rep Company’s one act is To Tongue or Not to Tongue, a comedy by Rob and Jill Howell. A community theater company is rehearsing Macbeth when the director instructs the lead actor and actress on how to do their kissing scene. The play is directed by Jill Howell. Penn Rep performs in Monroe County.

Rock Bottom Theater Company of Wyoming and Susquehanna Counties will present The Worker, a dark comedy by Walter Wykes, directed by Tim Hutchins. When a manager discovers that all other employees have had early termination, he is forced to take over the entire company – or be terminated himself. The play stars Dean Hutchins, Suzanne St. Pierre, and Robbie Mitchell.

The Phoenix Performing Arts Centre will present a monologue written and directed by Angelina Glodzik, staring Bob Balitski. They will also present two dance numbers: “Buenos Aires” from Evita, performed by 10 dancers and choreographed by Lee LaChette, and “Mr. Bojangles from Fosse, performed by Alyssa Blamire and Lee LaChette.

The fundraising event will also include a basket raffle with 10 basket being offered. All tickets to the Sept. 6 performance are $12. Some plays contain adult language and themes, so the show is not appropriate for young children.

For advance reservations, call the Phoenix at 570-457-3589. Tickets will also be available at the door, but seating is limited, so advance reservations are suggested. For more information on the Phoenix, log onto www.phoenixpac.vpweb.com/default.html.

Sherman Theatre Collecting Items for New School

East Stroudsburg Elementary School (ESE), a brand new elementary school in the East Stroudsburg Area School district will be opening its doors to students for the first time this fall. The school, located on Route 447, is preparing for the first day of class, but playground items are still needed for students to use during recess.

The Sherman Theater and the ESE PTO will be collecting playground equipment for the new school. Individuals are encourages to donate items such as jump ropes, hula-hoops, Frisbees, sidewalk chalk, balls (all types) and other sporting equipment.

Donations will be accepted at the Sherman Theater during regular business hours and during theater events, including Stroudfest on August 30. The Sherman and ESE PTO encourage donations to be made this week so that items may be used when students return to school on September 2.

The Sherman Theater box office is open noon to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. For more information about the ESE playground or shows, please visit shermantheater.com or call 570.420.2808.

Award Winning Comedy-Drama Opens At Chenango River Theatre

Money, Power, Sex. The triple crown of corporate America. And donuts (Krispy Kreme, of course). Wall Street corporate raider Garfinkle, looking for his next big score, sets his sights on New England Wire and Cable. Trying to stave off the takeover, Jorgenson, the factory owner, hires a Wall Street lawyer, Kate. A funny, riveting and serious game of cat-and-mouse (and mutual attraction) ensues as Garfinkle and Kate struggle to get the upper hand.

Speeding like a bullet train to its fascinating conclusion, author Jerry Sterner’s award-winning play Other People’s Money traces the fate of a still viable business that, in the present business environment, may be worth more to its stockholders sold for scrap than it is as the economic engine of an entire community, supplying over 1,200 well-paying jobs to a struggling region.

Other People’s Money won the 1989 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Play and has been in continuous production around the country since its debut.

“Funny, serious, suspenseful, involving, disturbing, and above all,expertly crafted…epic grandeur and intimate titillation combined. It is the most stimulating kind of entertainment.” John Simon, New York Magazine

Chenango River Theatre’s production will feature Equity actors from both the local area and around the country. Binghamton actor Bill Gorman plays the pivotal role of Jorgenson, the factory owner trying to preserve his company, not for himself but for what it means to his town. Paul Romero (NYC) plays the coarse, sexist corporate raider Garfinkle, based on a philosophy of “he who dies with the most toys, wins.” Paul has appeared on a regular basis in sketches with David Letterman on the Late Show, and has worked with numerous major regional theatres around the country, including The Shakespeare Theatre (Washington, DC), Portland Stage and Huntington Theatre (Boston), as well as working in television on Spin City, Law & Order, All My Children and Guiding Light, among others.

Heidi Weeks, from Toronto, plays the lawyer Kate, summoned to defend against the corporate raider, only to find herself both repulsed and attracted to him. Also playing major roles are two actors who have worked previously with CRT: Drew Kahl (most recently seen as Andy in I Hate Hamlet) plays Coles, and Judy McMahon (Betty in The Foreigner) portrays Bea, Jorgenson’s long-time assistant and lover.

Directing the production is CRT’s Artistic and Managing Director Bill Lelbach, who in reflecting on the show, said, “This show may be more timely now than when it was written - it’s like watching a murder mystery - you don’t know who’s going to be left standing at the end, and it’s funny to boot. It has great resonance for an area like ours - just imagine the impact if someone decided to buy out the biggest employer in our region for the sole purpose of dismantling the company because short term it would provide greater benefit to the stockholders.”

The play climaxes as Jorgensen and Garfinkle address the stockholders at the Annual Meeting with the fate of the company in the balance. The ultimate result is both logical and surprising, as stockholders must choose to vote their conscience or their wallet.

Other People’s Money runs from August 29 - September 21 at Chenango River Theatre’s new (and air-conditioned) 99 seat theatre at 991 State Route 12, about 3 miles south of Greene.

Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30, plus Sunday matinees at 2:00pm. Tickets are $16 Thursdays, $18 Fridays & Sundays, and $22 on Saturdays. All performances start on time and there is no late seating. The box office opens one half hour before curtain. For reservations, call 656-8499 (TIXX), or go to www.chenangorivertheatre.org.

The Biggest Yard Sale EVER

Stop by The Biggest Yard Sale Ever for thousands of items including dishware, glassware, clothing, toys, furniture, small appliances, tools and much, much more.

The sale will be held at The Bishop Farm, RR#1, Box 301 A, Sutton Creek Rd, Harding, PA on Saturday & Sunday, August 30 & 31 from 9 AM to 2 PM - Rain or Shine!

Proceeds benefit The Music Box Players!

Call The Music Box Office at 570-283-2195 or email MusicBoxOffice@verizon.net for directions and information

Final Performances of NUNSENSE and THE STAR SPANGLED GIRL at Shawnee Playhouse

The Shawnee Playhouse announces the Grand Finale of its summer season, with the closing performances of NUNSENSE and THE STAR SPANGLED GIRL.

In NUNSENSE, A riotous musical revue packed with hilarious, show-stopping song and dance numbers is the only hope for the Little Sisters of Hoboken. The convent is desperately short of funds after a tragic cooking accident, and must raise money to bury their departed Sisters. With faith, optimism, and good humor the nuns pool their talents and pray for the best.

Final Performance dates and times:
Wednesday August 27 at 2:00 and 8:00 pm
Thursday August 28 at 2:00 pm
Friday August 29 at 2:00 pm
Saturday August 30 at 8:00 pm
Sunday August 31 at 2:00 pm

THE STAR SPANGLED GIRL is by the one and only Neil Simon. In a manic comedy about a love triangle complicated by publishing and politics, Andy and Norman barely make a living working on their political magazine, Fallout. When an all-American girl named Sophie moves in next door it’s love at first sight for Norman. Andy hires her just to keep the magazine going, then Sophie falls for Andy. Sparks fly as personalities and politics collide, putting both the magazine and the men’s friendship in danger.

Final Performance dates and times:
Thursday August 28 at 8:00 pm.
Friday August 29 at 8:00 pm.
Sunday August 31 at 8:00 pm.

The Shawnee Playhouse’s 29th Season continues with THE PURGATORY DIARIES OF JASON MILLER on Friday September 5, 2008 at 8:00 pm and the Tony-Award winning play MORNINGS AT SEVEN, beginning September 26.

For tickets, showtimes, and more information please contact the Shawnee Playhouse Box Office at 570-421-5093 or visit www.TheShawneePlayhouse.com.

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